One monthpriortoachievingthisnationalhonor,thegroupexpandedgeographicallyandwelcomednewcompanies,researchorganizations,trainingcentersandeconomicdevelopmentauthoritiestostimulateeconomicdevelopmentandinternationalcompetitivenessthroughjointinnovationandresearchprojectsintheareasofthebeautyandwell-beingsciences.TodaytheCosmeticValley’smembershipincludes200companies,threeuniversities,dozensofpublicandprivateresearchandtrainingorganizations,tenlocalgovernmentorganizationsandapproximately1,000researchers.

The non-profiteconomicdevelopmentorganizationOrleansLoireValleyDevelopment(OVLD),anactivememberoftheCosmeticValley,hasbeeninstrumentalinhelpingsuchcompaniesfindofficelocationsandhumanresources,facilitatesetupandtechnologytransfer,andobtainfinancialincentives,amongotherservices.In2005,OVLDhelpedCaudalie,aproducerofskin-careproductsbasedongrapeseedpolyphenols,preparethesetupofthecompany’sEuropeanpackaginganddistributioncenterinOrleans.

FormoreinformationontheCosmeticValleyorOrleansLoireValleyDevelopment,contactMirkaCecetatIMEXManagementInc.atTel:+1-704-365-0041;Fax:+1-704-365-8426;eimail:mirkac@imexmgt.com; or on the Web at: www.investinorleans.com.